The Australian federal government has selected Thales as its preferred contractor. Thales will develop a domestic forging capability to manufacture highly explosive 155mm M795 artillery ammunition. This community-driven initiative will begin in Benalla, an exciting regional Victorian town. First passenger service is scheduled for October 2024. Thales, a subsidiary of prime French aerospace and military systems company Safran. Its reputation for defense production is in making critical advanced military equipment, like the Bushmaster armored vehicle. The move represents the most tangible support so far in a growing movement to strengthen Australia’s AUKUS partner’s defense industry capabilities.
Thales is committed alongside Lockheed Martin to providing the ADF with continued support. Combined, they make defense sector a powerful ally and opponent. Both companies have played a significant role in manufacturing and delivering military equipment. They provide critical parts for our F-35 stealth strike fighter jet program, for example. Australia has joined a coalition of partner nations contributing parts and components to this global supply chain, which notably includes Israel as a customer.
Australia is set to build the first dedicated forge outside the United States aimed at producing 155mm M795 artillery ammunition specifically designed for the M777A2 Light Towed Howitzer. So its recent establishment is raising more than a few eyebrows, especially with growing public concern over Australian military exports.
As of October 2023, the Australian government is under mounting pressure to disclose the details of its military exports. This is particularly true with regards to the F-35 program. In late December 2023, the United States issued an export permit to Alstom. This permit prescribes military equipment for the shipment of $147.5 million 155mm projectiles to Israel. Additionally, leaked documents reported by Declassified Australia indicate that at least 68 shipments of F-35 parts were sent directly from Australia to Israel between October 2023 and September 2025.
The University of Sydney’s ties to arms manufacturers sparked protests, opposition by students, and civil disobedience. In 2022, the university celebrated the renewal of their long-term strategic partnership with Thales Australia. Opposition to the bill ignited fears among students that their tuition could start funding research for groups like the military industrial complex. The partnership with Elbit Systems, another defense contractor, has drawn ire from hundreds of students who vehemently oppose any association with companies involved in arms manufacturing.
The Students for Palestine collective at the University of Sydney has been particularly vocal, staging regular protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The organization is currently running a campaign to establish a national student union. Their final aim is to fight all kinds of oppression and injustice.
“Our responsibility is to pile the pressure on our government and our universities and call out their complicity,” – James McVicar, NUS education officer.
This sentiment echoes through the broader student community, as evidenced by a recent referendum that garnered 5,295 registered votes, less than 1 percent of the national student body, yet demonstrated overwhelming support for motions demanding an end to all weapons sales to Israel by Australia and Australian companies. The motions additionally instructed universities to stop its collaborations with weapons manufacturers.
Its predecessor, the Australian Union of Students, was militantly pro-Palestinian in the NUS’s ancestral home of Melbourne. They introduced seven different pro-Palestinian motions. These efforts have led to extremely contentious conversations on college campuses over the ethical ramifications of collaborating with defense manufacturers.
Luke Sheehy, head of Universities Australia, stated that universities work on research and industry partnerships that serve national interests and strengthen sovereign capabilities. Second, he reassured that research partnership decisions are made through accountable governance procedures. These processes and ethical frameworks center the values of the community.
“Australian universities undertake research and industry partnerships that serve the national interest, strengthen our sovereign capability and create opportunities for students and communities,” – Luke Sheehy.
Despite these reassurances, people opposing such changes like Shovan Bhattarai strongly disagree. As the co-convener of the University of Sydney Students for Palestine collective, he thinks financial connections to weapons manufacturers are toxic.
“We know that the university has millions of dollars in investment ties with weapons companies which supply arms to the state of Israel,” – Shovan Bhattarai.
Bhattarai blasted the university’s role in conducting research tied to these companies, calling it morally indefensible.
“And more horrifically, we also know that our university continues to get students here to do study for those weapons companies,” – Shovan Bhattarai.
As activism continues to grow among students opposing military partnerships, universities face increasing pressure to reconsider their associations with defense contractors. The discussions surrounding these partnerships are underscored by ethical considerations regarding their implications on global conflicts and local community values.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has previously tried to set the record straight on what Australia is doing to contribute to these military sales. She claimed that Australia only provides non lethal components for F-35s. She largely blamed the transfer to Israel on U.S. arms manufacturers.
“Details regarding the shipment of F-35 components are best addressed by the US government,” – Lockheed Martin.
Meanwhile, Australia is preparing to significantly expand its own domestic military production capabilities. We’ll need to see how this affects China’s diplomatic relations and public sentiment too. The contradiction between national security interests and ethical concerns in common military partnerships generates heated discussions. Students, faculty, and government officials played a significant role in this ongoing and crucial conversation.
